Divided window family

[dzatto]

First, let me say that I hate when people ask for families, blocks, etc. without trying to create it themselves. Seems like they want someone to do the work for them. BUT, unforturnately, that's exactly what I'm asking here.

I'm trying to figure out families, and it's giving me a headache. lol

I need a window with trim. But I need it to be divided paramtricly into 3' sections. So, if I have a 12' window, it should show 4 sections. A 9' window will show 3 . etc etc.

On that same note, I need one that would paramtrically add mullions in each section. The mullions would be 1'X1'. Some windows on this project have them, some don't.

I don't even know if this is possible. I've downloaded some from Pella, Jel Wen, Adesk seek. But they are all a fixed dimesnion and are all too small.

If anyone has anything like this that they are willing to share, I'd be forever greatful. :beer:

[cliff collins]

This may be of help:

http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=115317&highlight=nested+families

cheers

[twiceroadsfool]

Nested families is exactly what you need to look in to. We have windows with Nested Panel Families in them, but unfortch none of them really have what youre looking for, or id be happy to share.

[dzatto]

Sweet! More stuff to learn about families! :roll: lol

Thanks for the info guys. I'll look into it right away.

[leeba]

Can you create a parametric array? Insert the window section family in, create an array, select the ARRAY, add a parameter with the formula: Width / 3'-0". Something like that might do it, I think.

As for the mullions, you can easily do that with instance Visibility parameters.

[twiceroadsfool]

Right, but if you want things IN the array to be parametric (window height, for instance) youll need to do so with an arrayed FAMILY, that has constraints inside it.

[dzatto]

Yep, you guys are still talking jibberish to me. :?

Aaron, let me buy you a beer. Surely you can explain and teach me all about families in the time it takes to drink a pint? lol

[btrusty]

in the time it takes to drink a pint? lol

it might take a pitcher...
at least its more fun that way

[twiceroadsfool]

Yep, you guys are still talking jibberish to me. :?

Aaron, let me buy you a beer. Surely you can explain and teach me all about families in the time it takes to drink a pint? lol

You havent seen the way i drink... It may take a few pitchers. LOL.

We dont use window arrays, per se, or id send you ours. But we just keep a family for Singles, Doubles, and Triples, because its more important to be able to swap out the types of panels for the singles, doubles and triples (which you cant do with the parametric array, since you cant have the different pieces with different family type parameters in an array together), but ive so rarely had a need for more than a gang of three windows, that i go with it.

Youre in a different boat with what you want to do. You dont need the family type parameter, so you could have it together in short order with the parametric array.

[dzatto]

The problem is, the custom home designer I work with always has some crazy window configurations. He uses Jeld Wen windows, but they are all custom made. On this project, he has single, double, triple, and quadruple 3' bays. I tried taking the OOTB double picture window and adding some more divisions to make it a 3 or 4 panel window, but I got lost with all the constraints and reference planes. I wound up taking a double and a single and putting them next to each other. It doesn't look right but I had to get him something.

In ACA, I'd create a window assembly, assign the mullion spacing and be done. If I stretch the window, the mullions fill in automatically. Revit should be this easy! lol

[leeba]

Here's my five-minute family without any real customization for how I'd actually want to use this. I just want you to get an idea of what I was talking about before.

To see how the family works, go to Types and change the Width parameter to 12'. Apply. Then try 9'. Etc. (If you put in 3', you'll get an error because the Array parameter will become 1 and that's impossible.) You'll get an incorrect configuration if you try to enter a number that is not a multiple of 3.

I'm sure this idea could be of use in making a really good family that does what you want it to do. Again, this was just the five minute version.

[twiceroadsfool]

The problem is, the custom home designer I work with always has some crazy window configurations. He uses Jeld Wen windows, but they are all custom made. On this project, he has single, double, triple, and quadruple 3' bays. I tried taking the OOTB double picture window and adding some more divisions to make it a 3 or 4 panel window, but I got lost with all the constraints and reference planes. I wound up taking a double and a single and putting them next to each other. It doesn't look right but I had to get him something.

In ACA, I'd create a window assembly, assign the mullion spacing and be done. If I stretch the window, the mullions fill in automatically. Revit should be this easy! lol

Well, i stopped my Gang assemblies at three, but i also dont do residential work. As mentioned before, the only reason my gangs are built the way they are, is i wanted the capability to have three windows together, all different sizes, and switchanble types. So my gang of three can be swapped to: casement/picture/casement, or DH/DH/Casement, etc.

If you want a flexible array of the same window, its much easier to make. Id still nest the panel family, and then use an array, nest the parameters for the size of the panel, make the array count populate based on a formula relating to the size of the nested panel, and its done.

[dzatto]

Here's my five-minute family without any real customization for how I'd actually want to use this.
Thanks for the five minute version. I'll check it out and probably steal it from ya! :mrgreen:


If you want a flexible array of the same window, its much easier to make. Id still nest the panel family, and then use an array, nest the parameters for the size of the panel, make the array count populate based on a formula relating to the size of the nested panel, and its done.
Ummm yeah. easy. lol
Give me some time, I'll figure it out eventually! lol